Posts Tagged With ‘ Rita Robinson ’

Stop buying and using Carolina Milano magnetic balls cubes because the loose, hazardous magnets pose a risk of serious injury or death if ingested. Tests showed the magnetic balls sold in cubes don’t comply with federal safety standard for magnets, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement. When high-powered magnets are swallowed, they can attract other magnets and get lodged in the digestive system. This can cause perforations, twisting, and/or blockage of the intestines, infection, blood poisoning, and death. The seller, CarolinaMilano.com, of Israel, isn’t cooperating... Continue Reading

American companies are using unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices as they sells many consumer financial products, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said in a new report on what it found as it reviews business practices at financial institutions. For example, auto lenders have originated loan balances above the real value of the car being purchased and engaged in illegal collection practices while servicing these loans. The report covers findings from CFPB examinations completed from July 2022 to March 2023. “Today’s report furthers our efforts to highlight conduct that violates... Continue Reading

As summer is winding down, you’d think back to school sales would be the best bet for deals. However, it also brings free cookies, tax free shopping, deals on garden tools, and more. Here’s what DealNews.com suggests as the best bargains to look for in August. National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day deals It’s Aug. 4, so look for free cookies and great deals. Back to school supplies These yearly sales are now underway. In addition to deals on color crayons, notebooks, and folders, look for price reductions on backpacks, lunch boxes, clothing, and tech items as well. Tax free items Some states... Continue Reading

Many people get caught up in credit card debt. In 2022, Americans increased their credit card debt by a record $179.4 billion. The total owed by credit-card holders now is more than $1.1 trillion. However, people in some states charge less on their credit cards than others. WalletHub, a personal finance website, takes a look at the issue in “2023’s States With the Highest and Lowest Credit-Card Debts.” WalletHub found the following for median credit-card debt in the 50 states and the District of Columbia: States with the highest credit-card debts        1. Alaska – $3,517 District... Continue Reading

Over the years, I’ve seen hundreds, maybe even thousands, of ads on Facebook. To me, it doesn’t seem like a very good place to be placing orders. You have no idea about the reputation of the companies. In the spring, I succumbed. I ordered a “jacket” for my sister for her birthday. I also ordered one for me. The ad said orders would be received promptly. After I ordered one jacket, I was notified it came from Italy and was in customs. The second, identical jacket, I was informed, was coming from Ireland. Many more messages arrived about the jackets being in customs at various places. When... Continue Reading

To help consumers, the Biden administration is cracking down on junk fees, price-fixing and price gouging on food, and mergers. President Joe Biden announced the actions Wednesday the day before the fifth meeting of White House Competition Council, which he appointed in 2021. The council is made up of 10 cabinet members and the heads of seven independent agencies. “It’s about basic fairness,” Biden said when he addressed cabinet members and other council members. “Folks are tired of being played for suckers.” The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission will be publishing... Continue Reading

Another huge recall deserves your attention. Bose is recalling about 884,000 bass modules in the United States, 98,000 in Canada, and 18,300 in Mexico. The company has received 21 reports worldwide of the bass modules igniting or melting, including three fires resulting in damage to carpeting, an entertainment cabinet, and materials surrounding the bass box. No injuries have been reported. This recall involves certain bass modules manufactured before April 1, 2006, that were sold with some Acoustimass, Lifestyle, and Companion home theater systems. The components are black or white. The Bose... Continue Reading

I love the beautiful summer days here in the Seattle area. People are streaming into Western Washington due to the mild weather, attractive as climate change worsens, and the job opportunities. It’s so nice to be enjoying 70 degree weather as many areas of the country swelter. I’m also appreciating my wonderful garden with its abundant Swiss chard and kale. And my raspberry patch is yielding its usual pints of raspberries to freeze.   My blogger friends also are enjoying summer and other happenings: The value of staycations Let’s face it, we only get so many summers in our lives. And there’s... Continue Reading

More than 804,000 borrowers will have $39 billion in federal student loans discharged in the coming weeks, the U.S. Department of Education announced Friday. The discharges are fixes to ensure borrowers have an accurate count of monthly payments that qualify toward forgiveness under income-driven repayment plans. These fixes are part of the department’s actions to address failures in the administration of the federal student loan program in which payments made under IDR plans weren’t accounted for. Borrowers are eligible for forgiveness if they’ve had either 20 or 25 years of qualifying... Continue Reading

Another big bank is being exposed for corporate fraud. Bank of America will pay more than $100 million to customers for double-dipping on fees imposed on customers with insufficient account funds, withholding reward bonuses promised to credit card customers, and misusing personal information to open accounts without customers’ knowledge, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced Tuesday. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency also found that the bank’s double-dipping on fees was illegal. Bank of America will pay a total of $90 million in penalties to the CFPB and $60 million... Continue Reading